A new perspective on labor: ‘On Falling’ explores the mental toll of work
A glimpse into the life of a picker
Amidst the labyrinthine shelves of a fulfillment center in Edinburgh, a solitary picker scans a variety of items ranging from sex toys to office knick-knacks. This picker is Aurora, portrayed by Joana Santos, a Portuguese immigrant whose challenging transition to life in Scotland is poignantly captured in Laura Carreira’s feature debut, On Falling.
On Falling made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and later competed at San Sebastián. The film delves into the mental toll of labor, a theme Carreira previously explored in her award-winning shorts Red Hill and The Shift. Carreira’s personal experiences significantly influenced the narrative. “Coming to Scotland and starting my first job was a shock that completely changed my worldview,” she shared. ”I am still processing it now.”
The struggle for purpose
Carreira’s reflections on the modern work environment resonate deeply. “I think our world could be a lot more interesting and inventive if we didn’t just succumb to living for our jobs,” she mused. “The rise in our anxieties and the difficulty in finding our own purpose and meaning stem from this limitation, especially because most of us need to work so much to make ends meet.”
Crafting a realistic setting
Creating On Falling was no small feat, especially for a feature debut. The production team faced numerous challenges, such as amalgamating five different warehouses to create the massive fulfillment center where Aurora works. “We combined the warehouses in the editing. You don’t realize they are different spaces because the production designer helped create a cohesion between the spaces so they felt the same even if we moved locations,” Carreira explained.
Authentic characters and real-life inspiration
While setting the film in a realistic environment was crucial, Carreira prioritized writing characters that felt genuine. To achieve this, she spent months connecting with local pickers through friends of friends, forming a network of people willing to share the specificities and challenges of their job. ”I wanted to understand how long the shifts are, when the breaks occur, and if they have colleagues in the workplace. I wanted to understand people’s routines.”
This understanding was further enriched when Carreira went on a public tour of one of Scotland’s largest fulfillment centers, an experience that inspired a scene unveiled in the film’s first teaser.
Echoes of Ken Loach
On Falling marks one of Sixteen Films’s first produced features following Ken Loach’s retirement in 2023. The film echoes many themes explored by the famed British filmmaker throughout his career, from labor issues to immigration and class inequality. “It’s important to work with people who understand where you’re coming from, who have compassion and who want to put that compassion into films,” Carreira said of her collaboration with the production company. “I feel very lucky.”
A debut to remember
Carreira described her feelings about premiering her debut in Toronto as “lucky” and “honored.” “It’s very nice to get accepted by festivals because they are, in a way, the first people to see it, which is already positive in itself. It’s going to be a new experience for me, and I am excited to get out there, see films, and meet filmmakers. That’s what it’s all about.”
On Falling is a film that not only tells a story but also invites viewers to reflect on their own lives and the societal structures that shape them. It’s a poignant reminder of the human cost of labor and the importance of finding meaning beyond the confines of work.
For those interested in exploring more about the film, you can watch the trailer and find additional information on the On Falling page.